Breath of Dawn, The (44 page)
Read Breath of Dawn, The Online
Authors: Kristen Heitzmann
Tags: #Fiction, #Widowers—Fiction, #Family secrets—Fictio Man-woman relationships—Fiction
“Aye.” He pressed his palms to his knees. “But I’ve said enough for now. Take your pick of the rooms upstairs . . . Erin. Just don’t keep me up all night.”
She drew a sharp breath.
But Morgan stood and took her arm. “We’ll hold it down, Pops.”
She held her peace all the way up, then hissed, “Hold it down?” when he closed the door behind them.
Morgan laughed out loud.
M
ay I ride the horsey, Daddy?”
“Well.” Morgan lifted Livie onto the pristine white fence of the corral, perching her next to the equally pristine white mare with soft gray muzzle and rippling creamy white mane. The purebred Andalusian might have been over the top as a first horse for a not-yet-three-year-old, but as Erin said, he just couldn’t help himself. “Let’s ask Mommy.”
He turned as Erin approached, one hand resting on her protruding belly. Nowhere near as pronounced as it would get in her two remaining months, it still amazed him watching their child grow inside her.
His glance shifted to Noelle walking beside her, his infant nephew tucked under her chin. He had a feeling these two babies would be as close as Liam and Livie, even if they didn’t live in the same house. The amount of time they spent in one place or the other would keep them together enough.
“Ask me what?” Erin said.
“May I ride the horsey, Mommy?”
Bella trotted up and put her paws on the fence rail as Erin stroked
the horse’s head. “I think the one you need to ask is Princess Snowflake.”
His mouth pulled. That was what came of a two-year-old naming a horse—not quite the registered version.
Livie put her face almost onto the mare’s. “May I ride you, Princess Snowflake?”
“I definitely think she says yes.” Erin’s eyes gleamed. “As long as Daddy rides too.”
He leaned his forearm on the fence. “You know Celia would disagree. She’d put her on bareback.”
“Yes.” Erin stroked the dove-gray muzzle. “But you asked Mommy.”
He sent a glance to Noelle, who shrugged. “Rick would agree with Erin. Especially when you buy a sprite a war horse.”
“She’s a show horse.”
Erin stretched up and kissed him. “It’s your call.”
Which meant he’d saddle up and take Livie for her first ride on Princess Snowflake—an opportunity he wouldn’t miss since he’d be flying out in the morning.
The spread they’d found comprised scenic acres surrounding an hacienda-style house that immediately gained Consuela’s approval. It was farther from the mission but closer to her heritage. Erin and Livie didn’t seem to mind the seven-minute drive to the sparkling shore they viewed from their large, arching windows, and Bella thought anywhere they ended up heaven.
With an arm around Livie on the fence, he pulled Erin up and kissed her longer. The baby would be born before their first anniversary, but it was good spacing for Livie, and Erin glowed. He hadn’t seen this coming, might have missed it, locked in his gloom. But Erin and Livie had conspired, with a little of Rick and Noelle. He felt pretty sure Jill and Kelsey approved. And he no longer wondered but was wholly convinced the matter was God ordained.
“You know as soon as this one’s born, it’ll be you in the saddle.”
“Can I nurse the baby first?”
He nudged her. “Wise guy.”
“Wise
girl
, Daddy.”
“Wise woman.” Erin looked into his face, the essence of her—like Livie—catching his breath as it might for the rest of his life.
His chest expanded. “Definitely.” His mouth found hers with a will of its own.
“Kiss
me
, Daddy!”
He and Erin broke their kiss and as one covered Livie’s cheeks and neck with all the kissing she could bear.
M
any heartfelt thanks to the people who helped make this book:
My editorial team at Bethany House, Karen Schurrer, David Horton, and all those who took a pass at this. Thanks to marketing, production, cover design, and all of you behind the scenes. Such a joy to work with you.
My agent, Donald Maass. Fantastic insights for unrelenting improvement, solid representation, and great advice.
My readers, Jane Francis, David Ladd, Kelly McMullen, Melodie Fry (don’t talk to me; I’m in Paris), Devin Heitzmann, Jessica Rae Lovitt, and my husband, James. Every one of those comments, questions, and answers made it that much better.
A most special thanks to Everleigh Grace Lovitt for inspiring Livie and putting the wonderful in every day. And for little Greyson, whose turn is coming.
As always, profound thanks and praise to God—Father, Son, and Spirit—all for your glory.
Kristen Heitzmann
is the bestselling author of historical and contemporary romantic suspense novels, including Colorado Book Award finalist
The Still of Night
and Christy Award winner
Secrets
. She lives with her husband, extended family, pets, and wildlife in the Rocky Mountain foothills.
Visit her at:
www.kristenheitzmannbooks.com
Facebook: Author Kristen Heitzmann
Twitter: Kristen Heitzmann
DIAMOND OF THE ROCKIES
The Rose Legacy
Sweet Boundless
The Tender Vine
A Rush of Wings
The Still of Night
The Breath of Dawn
Secrets
Unforgotten
Echoes
Twilight
Halos
Freefall
The Edge of Recall
